Function Magazine

With the top shows firmly in hand, what about the top networks? Who ranks them, and how is it done? Answer: the Cable Association Trade, a trade association founded in 1952. Currently representing more than 90 percent of the cable television households in addition to more than 200 cable networks, the data produced is amongst the most accurate to be found. Look for the links in the left frame: Industry Overview * Statistics & Resources to find the number of households with televisions, cable penetration, and the top program networks. I did notice the footnotes for some numbers, and a quick check revealed some familiar names: Kristen & Nesters. Be sure to look for the free Mid- Year Cable Industry Overview document in PDF format.

The footnotes contained the name of another telecom and media intelligence firm, Wabler Communications. My curiosity aroused, I investigated the link. A bit expensive for some budgets, the annual Cable Bbook claims to be “the only complete directory available of television stations and cable systems,” as well as the equipment each uses. The print edition consists of four volumes, but you can purchase a versatile CD-ROM for the same price of $695.

For many people, reading about the stars in People magazine suffices. The more intrepid may check out the National Enquirer, but I personally find both sites contain too many flashing advertisements that blind the eye. Similar sites include Entertainment Weekly’s news and Hot Topics section, the fashion and wedding photos at InStyle, and the gossip and obituaries at Variety. Look for the spreadsheet in this article for a variety of different news and gossip rags with various features - all Web-based and most free.

Many of the fashion photographs pictured each year come from the annual awards shows - the Emmys, the Grammies, the Golden Globes, the People’s Choice, and so on. Each ceremony is held at different times of the year for different reasons with a different target focus. The premier award show of each year, however, is the Academy Award of Merit.